east point wrote:Easy enough to solve the 110 MPH PV speed. Get CAF to build a V-2 shell and then ship it to an outfitter to make it a proper PV ?

But y tho

Oh, but lest we forget Mr. Stephens, some Sheik over there has a private A-380; somebody with initials like JB or MZ will decide that he "and party" like rail travel and build himself a PV from scratch.

The SPV-2000 was once certified for 125 if I’m not mistaken, why not again?

Messrs. Norman and east point: my facetious comment didn’t really get to my point, I guess. Why would someone with that kind of money choose the Viewliner design in particular when they could

a) upgrade an older sleeper-lounge-obs to 125 mph (adding disc brakes, among other things)b) sinking money into a used 125 mph-capable car such as the above SPV, a Metroliner, a MARC II, or a Horizonc) purchase a different new 125 mph car like a Siemens Viaggio or a Bombardier MultiLevel, where they get more car for their moneyd) work with Amtrak to create one-off train movements for a 110 mph-limit car, on the rare occasions these corporate titans travel by traine) buy an A380

Option D seems the most practical by far, with option A available for those who “have to have it all”, and option C provides much more square footage for a rolling mansion, whether in one car (the MLV) or in the two cars that could be purchased for the amount they’d spend on a single Viewliner (the Viaggio.)

EdSchweppe wrote:I'm curious: once all the Heritage diners (with their associated speed restrictions) are gone, will PV movements between NYP and WAS still be allowed on the NEC LDs (Crescent, Silvers, etc.)?

As of today, the only trains that routinely handle private cars on the Northeast Corridor are:between WAS and BOS: 65/66/67 (no switching on/off at NYP)between WAS and NYP: 19/20, 50/51, 79/80, 89/90, 91/92, 97/98.between PHL and NYP: 42/43

During the past several years, under Joe Boardman and Wick Moorman, Amtrak officials have told AAPRCO that when the time comes, they would slow long distance trains to a maximum authorized speed of 110 MPH betwen NYP and WAS, in either direction, to accommodate a private car movement. That commitment may or may not be honored under the new CEO.

Last week Amtrak informed AAPRCO that their long standing request for PV access to one Northeast Regional train between BOS and WAS, in both northbound and southbound directions, without any switching at intermediate locations (such as New Haven, New York and Philadelphia), has been approved. Effective March 2018, the following Northeast Regional trains will be open to "A" clearance private cars and will not exceed a maximum authorized speed of 110 MPH when handling private cars:

That source sent me to 30th Street to see it. Train 43's departure from 30th Street was listed as fifteen minutes late when I arrived at 12:35. It finally came in after 1:20 (scheduled 12:15), reversing from the Keystone Line after wyeing at ZOO, with AMTK 643 pushing.Train 43 finally departed with Pennsylvania 120 properly appointed.

Late yesterday morning an Amtrak special train #Train No 858 left Washington, DC at about 11:45 AM with ACS64 #617, Amfleet I Cafe, Amfleet I Coach and #9800 Metroliner Conference car. This special was to picked up NHL's Philadelphia Flyers who traveled from 30th Street Station - Philly to New York - Penn Station as the NY Rangers are hosting them at the Garden tonight.

The first two Siemens Chargers delivered to MARC tested on the Camden and Brunswick Lines on Monday and Tuesday, and on the Penn Line on Wednesday, running on Amtrak's NEC all the way to Philadelphia, photographed at Penn Park.

planespotting wrote:Norfolk Southern Research Car #32 in Penn Station. I got some interior shots through the window as train had not yet departed for Sunnyside Yard. I should have zoomed in on the notes to see what they were planning.